Toy vehicle and method of launching

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle configured to travel along a surface, the toy vehicle having: a main body portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the main body portion; a lower body portion having an elongated channel passing therethrough, the elongated channel having an open end at at least a forward end of the toy vehicle; an elastic member secured to an outer periphery of the lower portion such that the elastic member is disposed across the open end of the elongated channel; and a tab member pivotally secured to the toy vehicle, the tab member extending from a rear portion of the toy vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/327,435 filed Apr. 23, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND

This application relates to a toy vehicle, and in particular to a toy vehicle capable of being launched down a path by an elastic member secured to the toy vehicle.

Toy vehicle playsets are an extremely popular category of toys for players. Further, non-battery operated toys are fun to play as there is no need to replace worn batteries.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a toy vehicle that is capable of being launched down a path with an elastic member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one exemplary embodiment a toy vehicle is provided. The toy vehicle having: a main body portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the main body portion; a lower body portion having an elongated channel passing therethrough, the elongated channel having an open end at least a forward end of the toy vehicle; an elastic member secured to an outer periphery of the lower portion such that the elastic member is disposed across the open end of the elongated channel; and a tab member pivotally secured to the toy vehicle, the tab member extending from a rear portion of the toy vehicle.

In another exemplary embodiment, a toy vehicle play set is provided. The toy vehicle play set having: at least one toy vehicle configured to travel along a surface, the toy vehicle comprising: a main body portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the main body portion; a lower body portion having an elongated channel passing therethrough, the elongated channel having an open end at at least a forward end of the toy vehicle; an elastic member secured to an outer periphery of the lower portion such that the elastic member is disposed across the open end of the elongated channel; and a tab member pivotally secured to the toy vehicle, the tab member extending from a rear portion of the toy vehicle; and a launcher for the toy vehicle, the launcher having a vertical wall configured to be received within the elongated channel and a distal end portion of the vertical wall is configured to contact a portion of the elastic member extending across open end of the elongated channel, wherein the elastic member is extended away from the forward end of the toy vehicle in a first direction when the elongated channel is positioned over the distal end of the vertical wall and the toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

In still another embodiment, a method for launching a toy vehicle along a surface is provided, the method including the steps of: placing the toy vehicle on a vertical wall of a launcher, the toy vehicle comprising: a main body portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the main body portion and configured to allow the toy vehicle to travel along the surface; a lower body portion having an elongated channel passing therethrough, the elongated channel having an open end at at least a forward end of the toy vehicle; an elastic member secured to an outer periphery of the lower portion such that the elastic member is disposed across the open end of the elongated channel; and a tab member pivotally secured to the toy vehicle, the tab member extending from a rear portion of the toy vehicle; engaging a portion of the elastic member disposed across the open end of the elongated channel with a distal end of the vertical wall; pulling the toy vehicle away from the distal end of the vertical wall such that the elastic member is extended away from the forward end of the toy vehicle in a first direction when the toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; and releasing the toy vehicle such that the elastic member propels the toy vehicle along the surface in a direction substantially similar to the first direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following description of embodiments, the description referring to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a forward view of the toy vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rearward perspective view of the toy vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A-4D are views of a launcher and a toy vehicle according to one non-limiting embodiment;

FIGS. 5A-5G are views of a launcher and a toy vehicle according to an alternative embodiment; and

FIGS. 6-12 are views of a launcher and toy vehicles according to still another alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the FIGS., a toy vehicle 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In various embodiments, the toy vehicle is launched from a handheld launcher 12 using an elastic band or elastic member 14 that is attached to the vehicle and remains with the vehicle after launching.

In one embodiment, the launcher has a flat track or planar portion 16 configured to be received on a surface 18 with a central spine or vertical wall 20 having a tip 22 at a distal end 23 of the wall that hooks the front of an elastic loop which is attached to the underside of the car. When the car is pulled back, the elastic loop extends and when the car is released, the elastic contracts, pulling the car forward. As the car reaches the end of the spine, the end of the elastic loop is fully contracted and is held on the underside of the front of the car, and the car moves forward off the launcher, carrying its elastic loop with it.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the vehicles are cars with wheels in which the chassis of the car includes a groove or open channel 24 on the underside that fits over the spine or wall of the launcher. In this way the car can be guided down the track using the spine or wall fitting into the groove as a guide. It is, of course, understood that other vehicles besides cars are contemplated for use with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For example, motorcycle type vehicles whose wheels would be guided down the inside of a U-shaped spine, or other vehicles that could be launched from the launcher wherein each of the vehicles carries and retains the elastic band that is used for launching.

As illustrated, the toy vehicle 10 is configured to travel along the surface 18. The toy vehicle has a main body portion 26 and a plurality of wheels 28 rotatably secured to the main body portion. The toy vehicle also has a lower body portion 29 having the elongated channel 24 passing therethrough. The elongated channel has an open end 30 at a forward end 32 of the toy vehicle. The elastic member is secured to an outer periphery 34 of the lower portion such that the elastic member is disposed across the open end of the elongated channel (See at least FIGS. 1 and 2).

The toy vehicle also has a tab member 36 pivotally secured to the toy vehicle and extending from a rear portion 38 of the toy vehicle. In one non-limiting configuration, the elongated channel is defined by an inner surface of a pair of side walls extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the toy vehicle in a facing spaced relationship. In addition, each of these sidewalls has a flange portion 42 extending away from an outer surface of the pair of side walls. The flange portions provide a surface to retain the elastic member when the elastic member is secured to the pair of side walls and the toy vehicle.

Also shown in the FIGS. is that the elongated channel extends from the forward portion of the toy vehicle to the rearward portion of the toy vehicle. This allows the vertical wall or spine to pass therethrough. In one non-limiting configuration, the pair of side walls are configured to provide the elongated channel with a “V” shaped configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the elongated channel has an open end 44 at the rearward end 38 of the toy vehicle and the toy vehicle further comprises a feature 46 configured to receive and engage a portion of the elastic member as it traverses from one of the pair of side walls to the other one of the pair of side walls. The feature is located above the open end 44 of the elongated channel at the rearward end of the toy vehicle, such that the open end of the elongated channel at the rearward end of the toy vehicle is unobstructed by the elastic member thus, the spine or vertical wall can pass therethrough.

In addition and in one exemplary embodiment, the tab member is pivotally secured to the toy vehicle for movement in the direction of arrows 48 such that a user's fingers may easily grasp the tab member as they are pulling the toy vehicle back from the forward end of the vertical wall. In one non-limiting configuration, the tab member is pivotally secured to a bar member 50 extending from the rearward end of the toy vehicle, the bar member being positioned above the open end of the elongated channel at the rearward end of the toy vehicle, such that the open end of the elongated channel at the rearward end of the toy vehicle is unobstructed by the bar member and the tab member. In still yet another alternative exemplary embodiment bar member defines an area 51 that is configured to be engaged by a feature of a launcher mechanism as will be discussed below.

Referring back now to FIGS. 1-3 and in one non-limiting configuration, the flange portion of each of the pair of side walls is generally parallel to an axis 52 of rotation of the plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the main body portion.

Referring now to at least FIGS. 4-5G, a toy vehicle play set, having at least one toy vehicle 10 and at least one launcher 12 is illustrated. Here vehicles such as those illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 are configured to be launched by launcher 12. The launcher has a vertical wall 20 configured to be received within the elongated channel and a distal end portion 22 of the vertical wall is configured to contact a portion of the elastic member extending across open end of the elongated channel, wherein the elastic member is extended away from the forward end of the toy vehicle in a first direction 54 when the elongated channel is positioned over the distal end of the vertical wall and the toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction 56, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

As illustrated, the vertical wall or spine is longer than a length of the toy vehicle and the distal end of the vertical wall has a hook feature 23 configured to engage the elastic member. In addition, the launcher further comprises a base structure or track 16 and the vertical wall extends upwardly from the base structure or track. The launcher also has a handle portion 58 that can be grasped by a user's hand 60.

In one alternative embodiment, the vertical wall has a gap 62 along its length, the gap being configured to contact the portion of the elastic member extending across open end of the elongated channel when the elongated channel is positioned over the gap and the elastic member is extended away from the forward end of the toy vehicle in the first direction when the toy vehicle is pulled in the second direction after it is positioned over the gap. By positioning the gap in the middle of the vertical wall the launcher has an adjustable launching capability in that vehicles positioned over the gap and pulled to a first position in the direction of arrow 56 will not extend the elastic member as far as a vehicle positioned over the hook feature 23 and pulled to the first position mentioned above. Accordingly, the vehicle and its elastic member can be stretched to different distances, which may provide varying forces to the elastic members. In addition, the gap and the distal end may also allow elastic members having tighter or looser elastic qualities to be placed on the toy vehicle. For example, a tighter elastic member may only need be stretched a shorter distance thus gap 62 is used. Alternatively difference forces may be applied by pulling the elastic member further by positioning it on the distal end. In addition and as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, a ramp 64 can be used with the launcher to launch the vehicle into the air.

As illustrated in the FIGS., the launcher can be configured in different ways as well. For example, the launcher can have the handle mounted over the top of the track, or mounted to one side of the track. Moreover, the handle can be configured to have many shapes, in one embodiment the handle is provided with a configuration that allows the child or user to push down on the floor easily to keep the launcher from sliding as the elastic band of the vehicle is pulled away from the toy vehicle.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Here components performing similar or analogous functions are numbered in multiples of 100. As illustrated, the launcher 112 is configured to launch two vehicles 110. Each of the two vehicles are similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and the launcher further comprises a first vertical wall 120 and a second vertical 121 each being configured to be received within an elongated channel of a respective toy vehicle. As in the previous embodiments, the elastic member is secured to an outer periphery of the lower portion of the vehicle such that a portion of the elastic member is disposed across the open end of the elongated channel and engages a distal end 122 of each vertical wall or spine. In addition, each vehicle has a tab member 136 pivotally secured and extending from the rear portion of the toy vehicle.

In this embodiment and as each vehicle is positioned over a respective vertical wall and pulled back a portion of the car is received and retained by a releasable catch 170 of a release mechanism 172 disposed at one end of the launcher 112. In this embodiment, each releasable catch is spring biased into an engaging position for releasably engaging a portion of the vehicle when it is inserted into the releasable catch. In one embodiment the releasable catch is configured to releasably engage the tab member of the toy vehicles after they are positioned over the distal ends of the vertical wall and pulled towards the releasable catch until the vehicle is retained by the release mechanism. In order to release the toy vehicles from the release mechanism, the release mechanism has a pair of actuatable buttons 174 one for each of the toy vehicles retained by the release mechanism.

Accordingly and if a user depresses one of the buttons 174, a vehicle retained by the releasable mechanism is released. In addition, a central button 176 when depressed will release both of the vehicles retained by the release mechanism simultaneously such that a user may retain two vehicles and simultaneously release them such that a user can release the two vehicles at the same time and race the two vehicles against each other. Accordingly, the releasable catch or releasable mechanism is configured to independently release the tab member or retained portion of either toy vehicle retained by the mechanism or simultaneously release the tab member or retained member of both vehicles retained by the release mechanism.

The launcher 112 also has a protective shield 178 that is pivotally mounted to the launcher for movement between a first position (FIG. 7) and a second position (FIG. 6), wherein the shield covers the buttons 174, 176 of the releasable catch when the shield is in the first position and wherein the shield does not cover the buttons of the releasable catch when it is in the second position. Accordingly the shield when in the first position prevents accidental actuation of the buttons of the releasable catch.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate components of the launcher 112, wherein releasable catches 170 (one for each vehicle) are pivotally secured to a base member 171 such that an engagement feature 173 is biased upwardly in the direction of arrow 175 by for example a spring. Each of the buttons 174 and 176 are also pivotally secured to the base member and are biased upwardly in the direction of arrow 175 by for example a spring. As shown in FIG. 10, the engagement feature of each of the release catches is accessible via an opening 177 such that as the rear end of the toy vehicle is slid into the opening the engagement feature will be pushed down until an opening such as area 51 of the toy vehicle is positioned over the feature and it can spring upward in the direction of arrow 175 and retain the vehicle in the launcher. It is also understood that any opening of the vehicle may be engaged by feature 173 for example an opening in the tab member or other parts of the vehicle. Also shown in FIG. 10 is that features 173 and a portion of launcher in openings 177 is chamfered to assist in engagement of the vehicle. Accordingly and in order to launch the vehicles a user simple pushes button 174 or 176 to depress the feature 173 and allow the vehicles to launch. In FIG. 8 each of the releasable catches 170 has an ear member 181 that is engaged by button 176 when it is depressed to provide simultaneous launching. It is, of course, understood that other launcher configurations are contemplated and that the aforementioned launcher is one non-limiting exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate still another alternative wherein the distal ends 122 are separately formed features that are inserted into the housing proximate to vertical walls 120 and 121.

The launchers and toy vehicles provide a method for launching a toy vehicle along a surface, wherein the toy vehicle is placed on the vertical wall of the launcher, and a portion of the elastic member disposed across the open end of the elongated channel of the toy vehicle engages the distal end of the vertical wall as the vehicle is pulled away from the distal end of the vertical wall such that the elastic member is extended away from the forward end of the toy vehicle in a first direction when the toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; and the toy vehicle is released such that the elastic member propels the toy vehicle along the surface in a direction substantially similar to the first direction.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the present application. 

1. A toy vehicle configured to travel along a surface, the toy vehicle comprising: a main body portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the main body portion; a lower body portion having an elongated channel passing therethrough, the elongated channel having an open end at at least a forward end of the toy vehicle; an elastic member secured to an outer periphery of the lower portion such that the elastic member is disposed across the open end of the elongated channel; and a tab member pivotally secured to the toy vehicle, the tab member extending from a rear portion of the toy vehicle.
 2. The toy vehicle as in claim 1, wherein the elongated channel is defined by an inner surface of a pair of side walls extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the toy vehicle in a facing spaced relationship, each of the sidewalls having a flange portion extending away from an outer surface of the pair of sides walls, wherein the elastic member is positioned upon the flange portions when the elastic member is secured to the toy vehicle.
 3. The toy vehicle as in claim 2, wherein the elongated channel extends from the forward portion of the toy vehicle to the rearward portion of the toy vehicle.
 4. The toy vehicle as in claim 2, wherein the pair of side walls are configured to provide the elongated channel with a “V” shaped configuration.
 5. The toy vehicle as in claim 1, wherein the elongated channel has an open end at a rearward end of the toy vehicle and the toy vehicle further comprises a feature for receiving and engaging a portion of the elastic member as it traverses from one of the pair of side walls to the other one of the pair of side walls, the feature being located above the open end of the elongated channel at the rearward end of the toy vehicle, such that the open end of the elongated channel at the rearward end of the toy vehicle is unobstructed by the elastic member.
 6. The toy vehicle as in claim 5, wherein the tab member is pivotally secured to a bar member extending from a rearward end of the toy vehicle, the bar member being positioned above the open end of the elongated channel at the rearward end of the toy vehicle, such that the open end of the elongated channel at the rearward end of the toy vehicle is unobstructed by the bar member and the tab member.
 7. The toy vehicle as in claim 5, wherein the elongated channel is defined by an inner surface of a pair of side walls extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the toy vehicle in a facing spaced relationship, each of the sidewalls having a flange portion extending away from an outer surface of the pair of sides walls, wherein the elastic member is positioned upon the flange portions when the elastic member is secured to the toy vehicle.
 8. The toy vehicle as in claim 7, wherein the elongated channel extends from the forward portion of the toy vehicle to the rearward portion of the toy vehicle and wherein the pair of side walls are configured to provide the elongated channel with a “V” shaped configuration.
 9. The toy vehicle as in claim 7, wherein the flange portion of each of the pair of side walls is generally parallel to an axis of rotation of the plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the main body portion.
 10. The toy vehicle as in claim 1, wherein the tab member is pivotally secured to a bar member extending from a rearward end of the toy vehicle.
 11. A toy vehicle play set, comprising: at least one toy vehicle configured to travel along a surface, the toy vehicle comprising: a main body portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the main body portion; a lower body portion having an elongated channel passing therethrough, the elongated channel having an open end at at least a forward end of the toy vehicle; an elastic member secured to an outer periphery of the lower portion such that the elastic member is disposed across the open end of the elongated channel; and a tab member pivotally secured to the toy vehicle, the tab member extending from a rear portion of the toy vehicle; and a launcher for the toy vehicle, the launcher having a vertical wall configured to be received within the elongated channel and a distal end portion of the vertical wall is configured to contact a portion of the elastic member extending across open end of the elongated channel, wherein the elastic member is extended away from the forward end of the toy vehicle in a first direction when the elongated channel is positioned over the distal end of the vertical wall and the toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.
 12. The toy vehicle play set as in claim 11, wherein the vertical wall is longer than a length of the toy vehicle and the distal end of the vertical wall has a hook feature configured to engage the elastic member.
 13. The toy vehicle play set as in claim 12, wherein the launcher further comprises a base structure and the vertical wall extends upwardly from the base structure and the launcher has a handle portion.
 14. The toy vehicle play set as in claim 12, wherein the vertical wall has a gap along its length, the gap being configured to contact the portion of the elastic member extending across open end of the elongated channel, wherein the elastic member is extended away from the forward end of the toy vehicle in a first direction when the elongated channel is positioned over the gap and the toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.
 15. The toy vehicle play set as in claim 11, wherein the launcher is configured to launch two vehicles and the launcher further comprises a second vertical wall configured to be received within an elongated channel of a second toy vehicle, the second toy vehicle comprising: a main body portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the main body portion; a lower body portion having the elongated channel passing therethrough, the elongated channel having an open end at at least a forward end of the second toy vehicle; an elastic member secured to an outer periphery of the lower portion such that the elastic member is disposed across the open end of the elongated channel; and a tab member pivotally secured to the second toy vehicle, the tab member extending from a rear portion of the second toy vehicle; and wherein a distal end portion of the second vertical wall is configured to contact a portion of the elastic member extending across open end of the elongated channel of the second toy vehicle, wherein the elastic member is extended away from the forward end of the second toy vehicle in a first direction when the elongated channel is positioned over the distal end of the second vertical wall and the second toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.
 16. The toy vehicle play set as in claim 15, the vertical wall is longer than a length of the toy vehicle and the distal end of the vertical wall has a hook feature configured to engage the elastic member disposed across the open end of the elongated channel of the toy vehicle and wherein the second vertical wall is longer than a length of the second toy vehicle and the distal end of the second vertical wall has a hook feature configured to engage the elastic member disposed across the open end of the elongated channel of the second vehicle and the second vertical wall is parallel to the vertical wall such that the toy vehicle and the second toy vehicle may be launched simultaneously.
 17. The toy vehicle play set as in claim 16, wherein the launcher further comprises a base structure and the vertical wall and the second vertical wall extend upwardly from the base structure and the launcher has a handle portion and wherein the vertical wall has a gap along its length, the gap being configured to contact the portion of the elastic member extending across open end of the elongated channel of the toy vehicle, wherein the elastic member is extended away from the forward end of the toy vehicle in a first direction when the elongated channel is positioned over the gap and the toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction and wherein the second vertical wall has a gap along its length, the gap being configured to contact the portion of the elastic member extending across open end of the elongated channel of the second toy vehicle, wherein the elastic member is extended away from the forward end of the second toy vehicle in a first direction when the elongated channel is positioned over the gap and the second toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.
 18. The toy vehicle play set as in claim 16, wherein the launcher further comprises a releasable catch for engaging the tab member of the toy vehicle after the elastic member of the toy vehicle is extended away from the forward end of the toy vehicle in a first direction when the elongated channel is positioned over the vertical wall and the toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction and for engaging the tab member of the second toy vehicle when the elastic member of the second toy vehicle is extended away from the forward end of the second toy vehicle in a first direction when the elongated channel is positioned over the second vertical wall and the second toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.
 19. The toy vehicle play set as in claim 17, wherein the releasable catch is configured to independently release the tab member of either the toy vehicle or the second toy vehicle or simultaneously release the tab member of either the toy vehicle or the second toy vehicle when a button of the releasable catch is depressed.
 20. The toy vehicle play set as in claim 19, wherein the launcher further comprises a protective shield pivotally mounted to the launcher for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the shield covers the button of the releasable catch when the shield is in the first position and wherein the shield does not cover the button of the releasable catch when it is in the second position.
 21. A method for launching a toy vehicle along a surface, the method comprising: placing the toy vehicle on a vertical wall of a launcher, the toy vehicle comprising: a main body portion; a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the main body portion and configured to allow the toy vehicle to travel along the surface; a lower body portion having an elongated channel passing therethrough, the elongated channel having an open end at at least a forward end of the toy vehicle; an elastic member secured to an outer periphery of the lower portion such that the elastic member is disposed across the open end of the elongated channel; and a tab member pivotally secured to the toy vehicle, the tab member extending from a rear portion of the toy vehicle; engaging a portion of the elastic member disposed across the open end of the elongated channel with a distal end of the vertical wall; pulling the toy vehicle away from the distal end of the vertical wall such that the elastic member is extended away from the forward end of the toy vehicle in a first direction when the toy vehicle is pulled in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; and releasing the toy vehicle such that the elastic member propels the toy vehicle along the surface in a direction substantially similar to the first direction. 